AUBURN – Regions Financial Corporation today announced a $1 million commitment to Auburn University, which will be split equally between the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences and the College of Business. The funds will support a special endowment for a new professor in forestry in addition to scholarships for the business college.

“Regions is proud to support Auburn University,” said Arthur Ducote, Regions Central Alabama area executive. “Helping our communities to expect more is a vital part of the Regions mission, and, through our support of Auburn University, we’re able to help fulfill that mission for the students and faculty at Auburn, as well as the local community.”

According to the Alabama Forestry Association, forestry generates approximately $13 billion for Alabama and an additional $4.2 billion in wages each year, making it one of the leading industries within the state. The new distinguished forestry professorship will focus on product development and research, identifying creative additional markets for the use of trees. Coupled with the scholarships for the College of Business, Regions’ contribution emphasizes the importance of education to drive the economic engine in the communities it serves.

“With some 22.6 million forested acres in Alabama, the endowment for a new forestry professor and student scholarships represents an innovative partnership between business and education,” said Ducote. “We see the ultimate economic impact on business in general and our communities overall as the major incentive behind this contribution. By discovering new markets, the research of the new forestry professor will lead to market growth and opportunity for those benefiting from the scholarships, which is a winning combination.”

“This gift from Regions Bank will enhance Auburn’s ability to attract top business students from a 16-state region through scholarships,” said Jay Gogue, Auburn University president. “At the same time, it will fund an endowed professorship in forestry that will help us lead state efforts to develop more forest products and be more competitive in that industry.”

The president added that such corporate gifts are an ideal example of university-corporate partnerships that bolster the economy.

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 100 Index and Forbes Magazine’s “Platinum 400” list of America’s best big companies. With $144 billion in assets, Regions is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, trust, securities brokerage, mortgage and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers in 16 states across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates over 1,900 banking offices and nearly 2,500 ATMs. Its investment and securities brokerage, trust and asset management division, Morgan Keegan & Company Inc., provides services from some 400 offices. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.